DESCRIPTION:
APW - James Warne, London, verge fusee of English manufacture with original dust-cap marked to Colonial era American John Shute of Philadelphia, 49mm, silver OF original pair cases bearing London hallmarks for 1756, incuse "D . A" marking for casemaker Daniel Aveline, white enamel dial, KWKS (a key is included as pictured), verge escapement, gilt mvt with pierced and foliate scrolled balance cock, gilt locking dust-cap signed with "John Shute, Philadelphia, No. 1159" marking, s#1159 with matching serial number marked to dust-cap. Though of English manufacture and movement signature, we have chosen to present this watch among the American portion of our catalog due to the significance of its original dust-cap being marked for a Colonial era American figure. This watch also comes with a binder full of documentation establishing a thoroughly researched history of John Shute and associated family members who were prominent figures in Colonial American, Revolutionary America, and early Republic of America history. Per this research, John Shute was born in the 1730s and died in the 1790s. John Shute was the nephew of Philadelphia mayor Attwood Shute, who passed away in 1758 and left John Shute as one of the beneficiaries of his estate, which suggests the possibility that John Shute may have purchased the present watch with the funds obtained through this inheritance. While we have no record of the John Shute this watch was marked for having served in the American Revolution; John Shute's nephew (the son of his brother, Henry) was also named John Shute, and was a notable figure in the Revolutionary War having served as a Lieutenant in the 4th PA Artillery at Valley Forge and signed an Oath Of Allegiance in 1777/78 while listed as deputy quartermaster-general. In all a delightful piece for the early Americana collector!
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, excellent cosmetic mvt condition overall, excellent gilt tone, some fine scratches with greatest concentration around pillar area; dial with scattered hls, small chip at 6 to left side of aperture for opening latch; excellent hands, minute with finish loss; outer case shows medium wear, dent to rear perimeter adjacent upper side of hinge, some mild scattered dings and nicks elsewhere, replacement button and latch with good function; inner case with damage at its hinge having a metal tear separating the bezel from two of its three knuckles and causing resultant excess play of hinge, case shows medium wear, profuse fine to micro-fine scratches to rear from past key slips, some circumferential indentation of perimeter, pendant junction with evident past repair having some solder excess visible internally and externally; bow pivots freely; domed glass crystal with numerous surface scratches and nicks.
ESTIMATE:
$800
-
$1600
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